My next door neighbour shouts at his DD

[UndertheCedartree]

My NDNs have an 18 month old. The dad absolutely bellows at her and smacks her. This has been going on around a year. I also hear him playing with her and singing to her and making her laugh.

I find it really distressing. And I try not to judge but I can't understand what she could be doing that's so bad at such a young age and so frequently. I hear him shouting every day. As soon as it starts I'm on edge, listening and hoping he won't smack her. I don't know what I can do other than wear ear defenders all the time?

Incorrect. Assault is illegal in England. The defence of ‘reasonable chastisement’ can still be used in some circumstances in England, unlike Scotland and Wales. I don’t know a lot of the case law surrounding ‘reasonable chastisement’ but can’t imagine a scenario where a Court would agree that hitting an 18 month old is a reasonable method of chastisement.
It is worth mentioning that the ‘reasonable chastisement’ defence can’t be used for assaults of ABH and worse, so anything that leaves a visible injury.

Completely missing the point of the thread here but when did atall become a thing!? It’s at all. 2 words. It’s even worse than people that say alot as 1 word